February 11th

Hello,

      I hope you all enjoyed your snow day on Friday. Today we will begin our first stop-motion animation project. I believe we have worked out the bugs for imovie so you should be able to export your movies in iMovie today and use iphoto. You will be working in groups (number to be determined in class). I will start the class by giving you a demonstration of the cameras and tripods and then you will begin planning. Here are the details about the assignment:

For this assignment, you will create an approx. 15 second (150 photos) stop motion animation that
depicts a conflict and resolution. You may approach this concept in whatever way deem
appropriate. Your finished piece may be linear or non-linear, abstract or representational,
explanatory or disorienting, etc. You may use any material or combination of materials to create your animation: found objects, people, paper, cars, plants, string, drawings, paintings, food, hair, water, newspaper, or anything else you can imagine! Great consideration should be given to the concept behind your animation and how best communicate your ideas visually.

Step 1:
 First, create a simple storyboard for your animation (8 drawings is sufficient). Storyboards are a tool you can use to plan out the sequence of events in your time-based work. Your storyboard should convey some of the following information:
What is in the frame and how does it move?
How do the elements in the frame interact?
How much time has passed between the last frame of the storyboard and the current one?
Where is your camera in the scene? Is the camera close or far away? Does the camera
move between frames? Remember to plan out a title and ending sequence as part of your animation.

Step 2:
 Each group member will answer the following questions on their blog, in full sentences:
1. Who will you be working with? What will everyone's role be?
2. What is the plot outline to your story? How did you choose this?
3. What materials will you need/be using? Animate, inanimate, etc.
4. Do you anticipate any issues with this project? i.e. 150 shots, etc. 

Step 3:
Prepare your camera.
• Check your ISO
• Choose a FILE TYPE and QUALITY SETTING
• Choose an appropriate EXPOSURE MODE
• Make sure your flash is OFF (unless desired)
• Make sure your memory card is clear and ready to receive many images

Step 4:
 Think about lighting. If you do not want the lighting to change throughout the animation, then
plan to create the animation in a location with consistent light.

Step 5:
Start shooting! You will have today and Wednesday's class to shoot photos. This assignment will be due on Wednesday, Feb. 20th. (Keep in mind that there is no class this Friday or next Monday due to Family Day).